The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study
Abstract BackgroundThe worldwide introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022 may have changed how its users perceive and interact with other chatbots. This possibility may confound the comparison of responses to pre-ChatGPT and post-ChatGPT iterations of pre-existing chatbots, in...
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JMIR Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e56973 |
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| author | Jiading Zhu Alec Dong Cindy Wang Scott Veldhuizen Mohamed Abdelwahab Andrew Brown Peter Selby Jonathan Rose |
| author_facet | Jiading Zhu Alec Dong Cindy Wang Scott Veldhuizen Mohamed Abdelwahab Andrew Brown Peter Selby Jonathan Rose |
| author_sort | Jiading Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundThe worldwide introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022 may have changed how its users perceive and interact with other chatbots. This possibility may confound the comparison of responses to pre-ChatGPT and post-ChatGPT iterations of pre-existing chatbots, in turn affecting the direction of their evolution. Before the release of ChatGPT, we created a therapeutic chatbot, MIBot, whose goal is to use motivational interviewing to guide smokers toward making the decision to quit smoking. We were concerned that measurements going forward would not be comparable to those in the past, impacting the evaluation of future changes to the chatbot.
ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to explore changes in how users interact with MIBot after the release of ChatGPT and examine the relationship between these changes and users’ familiarity with ChatGPT.
MethodsWe compared user interactions with MIBot prior to ChatGPT’s release and 6 months after the release. Participants (N=143) were recruited through a web-based platform in November of 2022, prior to the release of ChatGPT, to converse with MIBot, in an experiment we refer to as MIBot (version 5.2). In May 2023, a set of (n=129) different participants were recruited to interact with the same version of MIBot and asked additional questions about their familiarity with ChatGPT, in the experiment called MIBot (version 5.2A). We used the Mann-Whitney U
ResultsIn total, 83(64.3%) participants in the MIBot (version 5.2A) cohort had used ChatGPT, with 66 (51.2%) using it on a regular basis. Satisfaction with MIBot was significantly lower in the post-ChatGPT cohort (UPUPPP
ConclusionsThe widespread reach of ChatGPT has changed how users interact with MIBot. Post-ChatGPT users are less satisfied with MIBot overall, particularly in terms of perceived empathy. However, users with greater familiarity with ChatGPT provide longer responses and demonstrated a greater increase in their perceived importance of quitting smoking after a session with MIBot. These findings suggest the need for chatbot developers to adapt to evolving user expectations in the era of advanced generative artificial intelligence. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d3b4e0dace534618a512cdbeeea30892 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d3b4e0dace534618a512cdbeeea308922025-08-20T02:09:56ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-03-019e56973e5697310.2196/56973The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental StudyJiading Zhuhttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-8997-0995Alec Donghttp://orcid.org/0009-0009-9883-8939Cindy Wanghttp://orcid.org/0009-0005-3798-3981Scott Veldhuizenhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3969-2756Mohamed Abdelwahabhttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-8825-7577Andrew Brownhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-2918-634XPeter Selbyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5401-2996Jonathan Rosehttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3551-2175 Abstract BackgroundThe worldwide introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022 may have changed how its users perceive and interact with other chatbots. This possibility may confound the comparison of responses to pre-ChatGPT and post-ChatGPT iterations of pre-existing chatbots, in turn affecting the direction of their evolution. Before the release of ChatGPT, we created a therapeutic chatbot, MIBot, whose goal is to use motivational interviewing to guide smokers toward making the decision to quit smoking. We were concerned that measurements going forward would not be comparable to those in the past, impacting the evaluation of future changes to the chatbot. ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to explore changes in how users interact with MIBot after the release of ChatGPT and examine the relationship between these changes and users’ familiarity with ChatGPT. MethodsWe compared user interactions with MIBot prior to ChatGPT’s release and 6 months after the release. Participants (N=143) were recruited through a web-based platform in November of 2022, prior to the release of ChatGPT, to converse with MIBot, in an experiment we refer to as MIBot (version 5.2). In May 2023, a set of (n=129) different participants were recruited to interact with the same version of MIBot and asked additional questions about their familiarity with ChatGPT, in the experiment called MIBot (version 5.2A). We used the Mann-Whitney U ResultsIn total, 83(64.3%) participants in the MIBot (version 5.2A) cohort had used ChatGPT, with 66 (51.2%) using it on a regular basis. Satisfaction with MIBot was significantly lower in the post-ChatGPT cohort (UPUPPP ConclusionsThe widespread reach of ChatGPT has changed how users interact with MIBot. Post-ChatGPT users are less satisfied with MIBot overall, particularly in terms of perceived empathy. However, users with greater familiarity with ChatGPT provide longer responses and demonstrated a greater increase in their perceived importance of quitting smoking after a session with MIBot. These findings suggest the need for chatbot developers to adapt to evolving user expectations in the era of advanced generative artificial intelligence.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e56973 |
| spellingShingle | Jiading Zhu Alec Dong Cindy Wang Scott Veldhuizen Mohamed Abdelwahab Andrew Brown Peter Selby Jonathan Rose The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_full | The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_short | The Impact of ChatGPT Exposure on User Interactions With a Motivational Interviewing Chatbot: Quasi-Experimental Study |
| title_sort | impact of chatgpt exposure on user interactions with a motivational interviewing chatbot quasi experimental study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e56973 |
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